If there’s such a thing as a ‘textbook’ Valedictorian, Belgreen High School’s Kade LeMay never read that book.
LeMay finished at the top of Belgreen’s Class of 2025, but unlike most Valedictorians, it wasn’t the culmination of a long-standing goal. LeMay didn’t map out a strategy when he started high school for finishing first in his class. And he’s never dreamed of delivering a Valedictorian address on graduation day. Not at all.
“I’m fine with talking to people, but I’m not a fan of large crowds,” LeMay said. “I even tried to skip (giving the Valedictorian address), but my mom wouldn’t let me.”
While he may have said that with tongue in cheek, LeMay’s laid back demeanor convincingly demonstrates he’s more at home outdoors than he is in a classroom. LeMay enjoys hunting, fishing, competitive archery and trap shooting at the Cedar Hill Trap Range.
“I played baseball in the seventh grade, but it took too much time from hunting and fishing so I let it go,” LeMay said.
The son of TJ and Michelle LeMay, Kade is a self-admitted procrastinator, often completing his previous day’s homework in shop before school each morning. His high school resume isn’t filled with membership in school clubs or athletic teams. Instead, LeMay excelled in 4H, earning one of only 38 statewide Alabama 4H Foundation Scholarships. The past two years, LeMay finished second in the state Skills USA Career Tech Club cabinet making competition in Mobile.
Having grown up on a working family farm (The LeMays own and operate a cattle farm and raise meat pigs), he was thrown headfirst into working with his hands. That’s why cabinet making appealed to him. LeMay earned a short-term certificate in carpentry through Northwest Shoals Community College at the Franklin County Career Tech Center. He also loaded up on dual enrollment classes in math, science and English, earning more than 30 credit hours before graduating from high school.
LeMay’s plans to continue his education beyond Belgreen also incorporate his passion for the outdoors.
He will attend Northwest Shoals this fall to pursue an Associate of Science degree. LeMay received an Academic Excellence Scholarship to Northwest Shoals, so his education will be paid for as a result of his high school academic success.
After NWSCC, he will either continue his education and work toward a four-year degree in Agriculture or pursue a job as an electric line worker.
LeMay’s a natural for the country life, and he attended a high school that couldn’t have been more suited for his personality, with only 32 students in his senior class. The middle child of three, Kade was raised in the Dempsey community.
“I wouldn’t trade my experience at Belgreen for anything. I’ve had some great teachers, including my seventh grade teacher Mrs. Amanda Oldag, my high school math teacher Austin Oldag and my cabinet making instructor Todd Johnson,” LeMay said.
“I’d definitely recommend a smaller school like Belgreen. There’s more accountability here. All the teachers know everyone’s parents, so there are very watchful eyes everywhere. And that helps avoid problems and making bad decisions,” LeMay said.
LeMay would prefer to stay in Franklin County and/or the North Alabama area once his education is complete, but he’s flexible enough to relocate to where the best job opportunity presents itself.
If you’re a gambler, though, you can bet it won’t be far from the country life he loves.
